UPTOWN GIRL

The supermodel’s sunlit path through life and fame’s peaks and valleys.

In her vibrant memoir, Brinkley recounts her ascent from being discovered by Elle photographer Errol Sawyer outside a Paris phone booth to becoming an icon during the dawn of “supermodels.” Her luminous career spans covers of Glamour, Sports Illustrated, and Vogue, alongside an unprecedented 25-year CoverGirl contract—a remarkable longevity that outlasted many contemporaries whose careers faded in their 30s. She offers a shrewd insider’s perspective on the evolving industry landscape, respectfully acknowledging her peers and detailing the challenges of the actual work of modeling, while revealing the fierce competition among agencies fighting for exclusive representation. Throughout, Brinkley maintains the sunny optimism that became her signature across five decades in the public eye. This optimism has guided her through an often tumultuous personal life. “There are many things in my life I can’t explain, and for that, I feel incredibly fortunate,” she writes. “It’s part of the magic and mystery of being alive. And I’d much rather live in the magic than dwell on the misery.” Brinkley candidly addresses childhood abuse by her biological father (she was later adopted by Don Brinkley) and her four marriages, including to rock star Billy Joel, and a brief union with Richard Taubman, who repeatedly “asked to ‘borrow’ money.” She recounts tragedies—a near-fatal helicopter crash and the sudden death of former lover Oliver Chandon de Brailles in a racing accident. While not necessarily forthcoming about her own potential shortcomings in these relationships, she nevertheless balances her assessment of Joel, Taubman, and others with an understanding of each individual’s complexity. This isn’t a tell-all. Brinkley’s likability remains infectious throughout. Despite advantages from her beauty, fame, and wealth, she demonstrates awareness of how her platform can advance causes from human and animal rights to environmental protection.

A thoroughly engaging glimpse into a colorful life well lived.